Bike Thefts Increase + Resurfacing On Oak Park Avenue

Good morning, OPRF! Welcome to a new edition of the Daily.

First, today's weather: Mostly cloudy throughout the day, with a high of 77 and low of 66.

Here are the top stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Utility and sewer improvements along Oak Park Avenue are complete after four months of work. Resurfacing work will continue through November, from North Avenue to Roosevelt Road. (Wednesday Journal)

2. Divers recently inspected and cleaned Oak Park’s four water reservoirs. The Pioneer Press reports they “have held up very well in their everyday containment of drinking water supplied by Chicago.” (Oak Leaves)

3. Bicycle theft is on the rise in Oak Park. At least seven bikes and additional equipment were stolen from residential garages last week. Police are offering tips to help residents deter thieves. (Oak Leaves)

4. The Village is hiring! Building inspector and customer service representative are among the six open positions. (Village of Oak Park)

5. Portillo’s has plans to go public. The hot dog chain with more than 40 locations in Illinois is valuing itself between $2.5 billion and $3 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. (NBC5)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest

• See “The Angry Birds Movie 2” for $2 at Lake Theatre. (9:30 a.m.)
• OPPL hosts story-time in Maple Park. (10 a.m.)
• Learn watercolor basics with the Oak Park Art League’s summer course. (10 a.m.)
• Kids grades K-4 can make a LEGO farm and zoo with River Forest Public Library. (3:30 p.m.)
• The Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board, District 97 and DePaul University partner for a talk on mental health and technology. (6 p.m.)

Oak Park-River Forest Patch Notebook

• On this date in 1899, Ernest Miller Hemingway was born. Oak Park’s most famous author spent the first 20 years of his life in the village and attended Oak Park and River Forest High School. He is remembered at the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum. (Hemingway Birthplace)
• Members of the Oak Park Police Department are praising its latest officer, therapy dog Howie. (Oak Leaves)
• The Olympic Games kick off this weekend in Tokyo after being postponed last year. Learn about Oak Park’s history at the Olympics with help from the OPRF Museum. (OPRF Museum)
• A new community fridge opened in Maywood in the former front yard of Black Panther Fred Hampton. (Wednesday Journal)

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Announcements:

• Jessica Rivera Completes BHHS Chicago Transform Training Program (Details)

Job listings:

• Now Hiring Butchers! (Details)
• Jobs: Custodian/Porter positions (Details)

That's all for today in Oak Park and River Forest! See you back here tomorrow for more news.

— Georgi

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.